Physical Abuse During Pregnancy

Although pregnancy is generally considered to be a happy time for
couples, abuse can happen more often and get worse when women are pregnant. Not only do abusive men often become more abusive when their
partners are pregnant, but a pregnancy can be the first time a woman
experiences abuse from her partner. If your partner seems jealous of the
developing baby or the extra attention you are getting; is more needy for your
exclusive attention; tries to control where you go, who you see, or the money
you use; verbally attacks you; or physically threatens you or someone else, you
are at risk for physical abuse during your pregnancy.

If you are physically abused while pregnant, your baby is also at
risk for physical harm or death. This is not a time to hope that the physical
abuse will stop—some women find that violence gets worse when they are pregnant.
This is a time to find safety for yourself and your child or children.

If you are concerned for your safety, devise a safety plan:

Pack some clothes, toiletries, important papers,
and phone numbers, and store them someplace away from home.

Try to
put together a private fund of cash.

Identify a safe place to go,
such as a women's shelter or a friend your partner does not know.

Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including a women's
shelter and the police.

Contact your local domestic violence
prevention group for advice and support.

Seek assistance from your
health professional's office if you need help, are injured, or don't know where
to go.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can link you to help in your
area. A nationwide database includes detailed information on domestic violence
shelters, other emergency shelters, legal advocacy and assistance programs, and
social service programs.

Contact information

Call 1-800-799-SAFE
(1-800-799-7233).

Call 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

Visit the
website at www.ndvh.org.

Send email to ndvh@ndvh.org. You can also send email through the website's contact page.
(Email is not confidential or secure.)

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.